Email Security – Attachment Virus

Email Security – Attachment Virus

January 7, 2019 | Mina Hao

Case AnalysisCase Analysis

Ransomware emails usually have an intriguing subject and body to entice receivers to open the attachment. As shown above, the attachment is compressed. The virus file is an executable with the extension of js. To disguise it as a seemingly secure text file, the attacker adds .txt in the file name. Files encrypted by this virus can only be decrypted upon payment of the ransom.

Security Tips/Takeaways

Make sure that your email client forbids access to executables. You can send an .exe file to your own email address to test this function.

Assume that all types of files, not just .exe, .js, and .bat files, can contain viruses.

Install antivirus software, but do not totally trust it.

Email Security——Malicious Links

Case AnalysisCase Analysis

Emails that contain links to phishing pages are rather deceptive as the login page displayed looks exactly the same as the real one. In this case, victims will let their guard down and type sensitive information as prompted. Alternatively, links in emails point to a page that contains a trojan. Once this page is opened, victim computers will be infected with the trojan.